It is important for an instructor to be organized and prepared for each class because it allows the teacher to start the class on time, stay on task, limit distractions, and the students have more time on task. This also allows for less behavioral incidents.
Alisha,
I like my classes to be like how I expect things at work. Each workday there are expectations, workers know what to do, and there is little slack or down time. There are many similarities between work and school. I think expectations are a big part of that.
Barry Westling
Alisha,
Better classes and graduate outcomes will occur and be evident in courses where the instructor takes the time, effort and planning to prepare, both for expected and the unexpected.
Barry Westling
If there is no organization and structure then the students get disinterested and unfocused. There will be pauses and interruptions in the classroom. If the instructor leaves the room for 10 mins to make copies then he/she has lost the class already. Being consistent and organized is crucial.
That's true especially when teaching adults. It does not take them long to hone in on disorganization and lack of structure from the instructor. It sends a clear message: I am not ready for class, yet the instructor expects the student to be prepared.
Terry,
Students want and need order, direction, and prociency from their instructor. That doesn't mean there can't be some fun and the class interesting. But at the core is need for competent instruction of the topic material. Students will forgive mistakes, but not lassitude, apathy or failure to be prepared by the instructor.
Barry Westling
Yolanda,
You're right, there is no option for not being prepared. As professionals, our need to be prepared for our classes is no less important than any other individual or professional whose job includes responsibility for others in some way.
Barry Westling
The instructor will set the tone for the class, whether it be negative or positive. Being prepared says you are serious about what you are about to teach. Be unprepared or non-chalant will cause many students to be the same way.
Organization and preparing are key conponents to students success. There are more pro's than con's, regarding preparation. There's less stress for the instrctor and students, you are setting an example (if you can be organized, student should be,too.), calmer enviroment for learning, you have expectation for yourself and your students. Overall, it's a win, win situation.
Eric,
Right. Student want order and need direction. An organized class facilitates better instruction.
Barry Westling
It keeps a steady pace for presenting the curriculum as a whole rather than having segments of topics scattered throughout the curriculum.
April,
Failure to prepare is certainly a poor habit and can lead to an awful experience in the classroom. Sort of like losing a saved document that hours was spent creating, we do all we can to remember to not let that happen again.
Barry Westling
Being organized and prepared sets the tone for the class. It also can set the students and the instructor up for failure.
Jack,
Yes, and along with that preparation, when students feel their instructor cares, they're more likely to follow directions, be attentive, and as a result do better in class. Like teamwork, both instructor and student working towards the same goal.
Barry Westling
it is important to be organized and prepared because it help you keep the class going smooth and it keep the students on the right track, also it show them that you are ready to teach them and that you care about them.
Ivy,
Expeactations are great and really needed for students to know what's in the mind of their instructor. Preparation allows for class sessions to be smooth and free flowing as a result.
Barry Westling
it is important for an instructor to be organized and prepared to teach because it sets the tone for the student as to what to expect from the instructor therefore they always know what the instructor will expect form them. It also helps the students to have confidence in the instructors ability to lead the class
Michael,
Student recognition is such a motivator. Whenever I can I try to reference one of the students in a positive way, such as "John was telling me that....etc. When students feel included they're more apt to participate, share, engage, and retain.
Barry Westling
The responsibility for a class and the potential influence on students can be very stimulating only so long as the instructor continues to grow and remain dynamic. I have learnt a few things since I become an instructor. The qualities of good teaching are very simple: Know your subject content, know your students, understand the school culture, and posse the professional teaching skills and strategies.
Knowing your subject means simply that you have a command of your discipline and capability of calling upon resources and being able to direct your students.
I think one of the things we should do as an instructor is to create a positive feeling about the course and encourage our students. I believe the instructor should be pleasant and helpful to students. I think permissivenesss is sometimes a good strategy. Here are some of the tips I use: Am always enthusiastic about the course am teaching and my students participate and enjoy the atmosphere of the class.
I encourage creativity. I encourage my students to be dramatic when they do oral preentations in class. I praise student performance and participation. I try to avoid criticism since I have noticed it discourages students from participating in class exercises, and decreases student motivation to learn.
